How do I create a 3D mesh plane

[G4-Altivec]

I've been using vector works for over 10 years and I still can't figure out an easy way to this.

Basically what I want to do is create a flat ground plane for a building, however, I want it to be a 12" x 12" gridded mesh where I can then adjust each vertex to create contours.

Its probably really simple but I just can't figure it out. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Biplab]

I am going to explain 3D Power Pack way to do this:

Create your ground plane by extruding a rectangle by 0 distance and convert the extrude to NURBS, thus creating a NURBS surface. Better yet, draw a rectangle and use Model->Create Surface from Curves to create a rectangular surface. Use the Create Contours tool to create a group of NURBS curves separated by a distance that you input. You can do this both in horizontal and vertical directions. You can ungroup the groups and with the NURBS curves selected, convert them to mesh or 3D Polys.

[angelojoseph]

deleted - didnt notice how old this thread is

Edited December 13, 2024 by angelojoseph

[angelojoseph]

deleted - didnt notice how old this thread is

Edited December 13, 2024 by angelojoseph

[VIRTUALENVIRONS]

@angelojosephThe is another thread at the moment on the same topic.  "Creating a surface from Multiple Curves".  There may be some help there.

On 4/21/2002 at 3:23 PM, G4-Altivec said:

I want it to be a 12" x 12" gridded mesh where I can then adjust each vertex to create contours.

When you say mesh?  There are two kinds of mesh you can create.  It is unclear which one you want.

 

Angular like this one....or smooth like the one below.

 

 

2-the mesh will be smooth or contoured

[EAlexander]

Paul, this post is 22 years old. 

[VIRTUALENVIRONS]

Yes, saw that yesterday, thank you.  It was just there as a new post so I answered......carbon based bot.    

 

Since joining the forum a few years ago, I thought this was something rather new until I saw a few post being revived from several years.  

 

How long has the forum been around?  I have had a relationship with Vectorworks for 40 years and only was aware of the forum in 2023.  

Edited December 14, 2024 by VIRTUALENVIRONS

[rDesign]

4 hours ago, VIRTUALENVIRONS said:

How long has the forum been around?

At least since 2000.

[angelojoseph]

Sorry, That was my fault! 

I have been using VW for about 15 years, but only for 2-d drafting. I have been using 3ds max, sketchup, Blender, and many others for over 30 years, but have been wanting to utilize the 3d capabilities of VW since I am paying for them. Unfortunately, I find the documentation to be quite poor, and it unfortunately just doesn't have the community that many other software do. 

[VIRTUALENVIRONS]

1 hour ago, angelojoseph said:

but have been wanting to utilize the 3d capabilities of VW since I am paying for them

Your comment is valid, but don't give up.  There are two disciplines in Vectorworks, Hybrid tools and NURBS tools.  For the most part, Hybrid tools will serve 90 percent of Vectorworks users for their entire careers.  

But, If you want to learn NURBS methodologies just post your problem.  Someone or several will respond.

 

At the bottom of this post is my YouTube channel.  Have a look, there are tutorials.